Valley Activities

Valley Activities

Scottish Rite at Beck Center for Arts Sunday, July 20th
Musical “1776”, a great theater experience for all ages, comes to Cleveland area

The story of one of the most important battles of the Revolution is coming to the Stage of The Beck Center for the Arts in Lakewood. It is not a battle fought with bullets, but with words in the hallowed halls of the Continental Congress. It’s 1776.

Based on the book by Peter Stone, 1776 is a prize winning production based on the events surrounding the creation and adoption of the Declaration of Independence, and therefore the birth of a nation. It is set entirely in Philadelphia. The composer, Sherman Edwards, spent nine and one half years researching and creating the musical. It was nominated for five Tonys in 1969. The movie was released in 1972 and was revived recently on Broadway with Brent Spinner playing John Adams.

The Valley of Cleveland entertainment committee has selected Sunday, July 20, 2003, as Scottish Rite Day at Beck to see 1776.

Special arrangements have been made with The Beck Center for tickets. We have blocked off 200 tickets, priced at $12 per ticket (usually $19 per ticket) to the performance. A Scottish Rite ticket reservation also nets a free parking pass to theatre parking.
Tickets may also be purchased at the Valley of Cleveland Scottish Rite office during the regular business office hours of 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

A reservation form is printed below to make ordering your tickets through the Scottish Rite office easier. Please include a self-addressed stamped envelope with your by-mail reservation so that tickets, along with a parking pass, will be returned to you in a timely and proper manner.

Come celebrate America by being a fly on the wall in the baking summer of Philadelphia when our Declaration of Independence was written. The forceful yet unpopular John Adams, the sly and unpredictable Benjamin Franklin, the home-sick and reluctant Thomas Jefferson--these true-to-life characters show that the birth of a nation is (and was) much more than a matter of politics.

The cast features John Adams, the 41 year old representative from Massachusetts who was one of this country’s leading patriots and prime mover for independence.
Also featured is John’s wife, Abigail. While John is in Philadelphia waging a vigorous fight as leader in the movement for independence, Abigail re-mains at home to manage the family and farm.

The two correspond from Pennsylvania to Massachusetts via letter. (songs)...in a love story that adds humor to the production.

Also featured is Thomas Jefferson who is given the task of writing the Declaration of Independence. He does not want to write it, he wants to go home to Virginia and to his wife Martha.

But write the Declaration of Independence he does but only after Martha is brought to Philadelphia.

American history buffs and avid theatre goers won’t want to miss 1776. It’s an outstanding afternoon of entertainment and surprises.

The Beck Center for Arts is located at 17801 Detroit Avenue in Lakewood. In order to get the discounted price of $12, special seating, and free parking, you must order your tickets through the Valley of Cleveland office. But hurry. Only 200 tickets are available for the performance of 1776.

Don’t miss this great musical theater experience for all ages on Sunday, July 20th.

Other Activities Include: